Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini believes Sporting CP star Viktor Gyökeres has ‘suitable characteristics’ for Serie A, while Gianluca Scamacca feels La Dea are even more self-confident after a 2-2 draw against Juventus.
Atalanta meet Sporting CP in the Europa League Round of 16 second leg in Bergamo on Thursday. These two sides have already met three times this season and the Nerazzurri are unbeaten with one win and two draws.
The first leg in Portugal ended with a 1-1 stalemate last week.
“There are always details we must work on. This is the fourth match against Sporting and I think it’s important to pay attention because errors will be decisive,” Gasperini said at a pre-match press conference as quoted by TMW.
“Both sides had positive moments in the previous meetings. Tomorrow’s result will be definitive, but we play at home and want to qualify. It can be a crucial factor in a balanced game.
“Sporting are having a great season. They are leaders in Portugal and have good individual values. Qualifying for the quarter-finals would be a massive achievement for Bergamo, and it’s extra motivation.”
Gasperini said second-choice keeper Juan Musso could start tomorrow, leaving Marco Carnesecchi on the bench. Musso also featured in Atalanta’s starting XI against Sporting last week.
Sporting CP striker Gyokeres, who has scored 33 goals in 37 matches this season, will be the main threat for Atalanta. The 25-year-old has been linked with a summer move to Milan and Arsenal, and Gasperini feels the Sweden international would do well in Serie A.
“Gyokeres is having a great season and his characteristics may be suitable for Italian football,” said the Atalanta boss.
Atalanta are currently outside the top four in Serie A, but held Juventus to a 2-2 draw in Turin on Sunday.
“It proved that we are in good shape, it could be a helpful game if we meet Juventus in the Coppa Italia Final, noted Gasp.
Scamacca, the scorer of one goal against Sporting last week, was also happy with the draw in Turin.
“It was a great game. We faced a top club, and we left Turin with even more awareness of our qualities,” the Italian said during his pre-match press conference.
“Playing at home against Sporting will give us something more, our fans will be the 12th man. Surly, we’ll have to start strong. Our target is to go qualify.”